,Z36l^1^^ 



UNIVERSAL STAGE. 



Price 15 Cents. 



A Comrades Luck, 



OR 



The Stolen Will, 



A Drama in Five Acts. 



J 



B-2- T. E. O-IXjXjESX'IE:. 



KEARNKY. NRB.: 

NONPAREIL PRINT. 

Wyomixo Aveni'k. 
1881. 



A COMRADE'S Luck 



OR 



The Stolen Will, 



A Drama in Five Acts. 



s-z- T. El. o-iXjXjEsx'Ie;. 



KEARNEY, NEB.: 
B. H. CtOULDING. 

Wyoming Atknue. 
1881. 



A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

OR 
THE STOLEN WILL 

DRAiVL\TI8 PERSON i^. 



tlUGH ('RAVEN, a Designing Lawyer. 
.JOHN DALGREN, a Patviotic Farniei-. 
EDWIN GREY, Rival of Craven. 
MICKEY McGEE, The Widow's Victim. 
DENNIS 0' GRADY. A Veteran. 
JOHN JOHNSON. A Higli Private. 
OTTO SCHWARTZ, A Dutch Recruit. 
OFFICER OF THE DAY, Captain of 40th Regular* 
ROBERT DUNBAR, A Guerrilla Chief. 
REBEL LIEUTENANT, Aide to Dunbar. 
HENRY WIRTZ, The Prison Fiend. 
MINISTER. 

CAESAR, A Contraband. 
MRS. DALGREN, Widow of John Dalgven. 
ETHEL DALGREN, Her Daughter. 
WIDOW MALONY, An Irish Landlady. 
LENORE WOODFORD, A Planter's Daughter. 
Union Soldiers. Rebel Soldiers, 



Copyright, 1880, 
By J. E. GILLESPIE. 



SYNOPSIS. 
Scenes in Indiana, Tennesske and Georgia. 

ACT I. A lawyer's plot for office and fortune. Filling up the ranks. Preserve 
the Union, or perish with it. 

ACT II. Camp life. The policy of '62. The bone of contention. The strategy' 
of chess and war. The compact of blood. The bold escape. Battle for the flag. 
The deadly ambuscade. 

ACT III. The horrors of Andersonville. Wirtz, the Prison Fiend. Close 
quarters. The Prisoners' friend. Blood hounds on the trail. 

ACT IV. The mortgaged homestead. The warning vision. The reluct4tiit 
bride. Saved at the altar. 

ACT V. The Traitnr'.'i Doom. The dowerless widow. The unexpected wed- 
ding gift. 

I'oxtmnfn — Modern and appropiialt\ 



Note. — For right of repi-esentation on the pxiblic stage, addresi* 
./. K. (iillespie. Kearney. Nebraska. 



TMP92-009234 



A Comrade's Luck, 

OR 

THE STOLEN WILL. 



Act 1. Scene 1 — A Imc office in YaUonia. 

Craven {solus reading a letter.) Chancery court two 
years behind and the heirs at law waiting for a decree. 
Well, let 'em wait. • Meanwhile, that purloined parchment, 
the golden key to Ethel Dalgren's fortune, is in my hands, 
and I've time enough to marry the girl, unearth themi.ssing 
will and claim our estate. This letter alone contains no 
clue, but in connection with certain facts might hereafter 
prove a strong link in the chain of circumstantial evidence. 
( Strikes mote/i. caid hiuiiing letter lights a cigar.) Heiress 
of half a million and ignorant of her claim. By Jove, I 
adore the girl; she is ravishingly beautiful, and her fortune 
would fit me exactly. {A hnock at the door.) Come in. 
(Enter John Dalgren c. d.) Ah ! Mr. Dalgren; {they shake 
hand.'i) be seated. How goes the harvest at West Farm? 

Dalgren. Well, thank you; quite well. We have had 
bountiful crops and sold our surplus at war prices. If this 
murdering business keeps up, our farmers will all have their 
hands full of Uncle Sam's money. 

Craven. It will take your handsfull to buy a breakfast. 
Our currency must depreciate more and more as the war 
continues. 

Dalgren. But the war ought to be finished and laid 
by this year. 

Craven. Ought to be, but won't be. We are beaten 
for lack of generalship. The rebels killed five thousand of 
our boys at this late battle of Fair Oaks. 

Dalgren. Then our country needs more volunteers, 
and you and I, Lawyer Craven, ought to be ashamed that 
we have shirked duty so long. Our neighbors have been 
talking the matter over, 'and as the cropping season is now 



2 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

off hands, they intend to enUst and help clean out the rebels. 
We meet this evening on the village common to enroll vol- 
unteers, and expect to organize a full company. 

Craven. You, I presume, will command the company? 

Dalgren. By no means. I have no desire for oifice. 
I have thought, however, of giving my influence to young 
Grrey. lie, I think, would make us a good officer. 

Craven (aside.) The deuce ! I must block that game 
somehow. {Aloud — No doubt of Grey — none whatever. 
I've half a mind to go with you myself. If I must be a 
soldier, I want to pick my company, and I know none I 
would sooner go with than the Vallonia boys. 

Dalgren. Then be at the rally this evening. 

Craven. If I can. 

Dalgren. We shall expect 3'ou, and ijow I will not de- 
tain you longer from business, but as I am to meet several 
of your friends this afternoon, let me say to them that you 
are going to enlist in our company? 

Craven. Say what you will for me, and success attend 
you. {Exit Dalgren c. d. ) If that fellow Grey takes com- 
mand of this company, goes to the front and covers himself 
with glory, what sort of chance will I have with Ethel? She 
loves him even now, and I've heai'd her say she would never 
marry a man who had not fought for the Union. Confound 
the war, it interferes with business. Well, I suppose I'll 
have to be a soldier, but I must hava a commission. That, 
however, will be easy to obtain, as my brother-in-law is in 
the war department. All right, I'll take command of that 
company myself — (loud hnochiiig at the door.) Come in. 
{Enter excitedly Micheij McGee). What can I do for you, 
sir? 

Mickey. Its the houly bands of wedlock I'm sufferin' 
from, and av the coort plazes a bit of divorce would be 
delightful. 

Craven. Well, sir, state your case. 

Mick. Faix, I can do that same in the twinklin of a bed 
post. My name, sir, is ]Michael McGee. I've lived along 
wid widdy Maloney two years jist, and paid me borrd stidy 
wake by wake. Well, she married me last night fernenst 
me will. D'ye moind that now? 

Cpaven. Against your will. Why, how could that be? 

Mick. Azy enough, yer honor. She put a decate upon 



OH THE STOLKN WILL. :; 

me. Yor liouor .sees, av the coort plazcs, I'm fond of a 
drop of the craythur once in a while, jist, and the widdy 
mixes it up for me, d'ye moind. So last night she made it 
that sthrong I lost the rickelection av meself intirely, an 
whin I waked up this mornin', be me soul, its out av me 
own chamber I was, and slaping in a strange bed. "Ilillo!"' 
sez I, "Phats the matter? Phere am I ? Sure its a f aymale 
apartment, for there's pittycoats against the wall." "Hillo!" 
out loud, sez I, "Widdy Maloney, phats the matter?" Then 
outside the dhure sez she wid a coaxing voice: ''Is it tay 
coffee, or coffee tay, this mornin, husband dear?" '-Phat?" 
sez I. "Siire, its married we wuz, last evenin', husband 
dear," sez she. "The divil," sez I, "3Irs. Maloney, phere 
is my britches?" "It's not Mrs. Maloney now, but Mrs. 
McGee!" sez she. "Mrs. Maloney !" sez I. "McGee!" sez 
she. "Go to the divil. Phere is my britches; let me out!" 
sez I. Well, at last, by the risk av me life, I got me 
britches and escaped from the place, an its a total divorce 
I'm wan tin as soon as iver ye can make out the papers. (A 
furious kuockinr/ at the door, Miclcey starts iip alarmed). 
Murther and blazes, there she comes now, bating upon the 
dhure. Hide me, or I am a corpse intirely — [tries to hide 
Mmself). 

Widow SIaloney (putting her head in at the door). 
Have ye seen me husband, sir. Sure it was here I heard 
the voice of him (entering). Phere are ye, Michael, bad 
scran to yez (discovers and seizes him). 

jMrcK. Be off wid yez. Hould on! Let go me ear! 
Murther. and blazes, Widdy Maloney, hould on ! 

Widow M. It's Widdy McGee I'll be in two minutes, 
ye blatherin spalpene, av ye don't come along paceable. It's 
for better or worse I took yez, an by that same token I'll 
not let yez chate an decave me wid loafin whin ye should be 
at worrik (exit pushing him out c. d.) 



ACT 1. SCENE 2. — The village common. A crowd discovered — 
Craven, Dalgren, Grey, Mickey, O Grady, ScJnvartz and others. 
Music of fife and drum continueing several moments, at pause in 
music .wme one in croivd calls for speech. 

Several Voices. Grey ! Grey ! Speech from Grey! 
Grey. Excuse me, friends. That honor belongs not to 
me. Mr. Dalgren should be our speaker. 



4 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

Voices. Dalgreu! Dalgren! John Dalgren! (^Dal- 
gr-en is pushed forioard). 

Dalg. Neighbors and friends: I never made a speech 
in my life and I can say nothing to interest you ; but as this 
occasion seems to demand a speech, let us have one from 
Lawyer Craven. He can talk to us if he will. I claim 
your attention for Mr. Craven. 

Crowd. Craven! Craven! (^Craven, is pushed for- 
ward^. 

Cravep. Friends and fellow countrymen: I came 
here to act, not to speak. I have no words to express my 
sentiments on this occasion. I can only say that I desire to 
enlist in your company and contribute my all to the defense 
of the Union. (Applause). I have watched with intense 
interest the struggle now in progress. It is no holiday 
game, this game of war. Blood is being poured out like 
water, and thousands of our fellow citizens have offered up 
their lives to save the Nation's life. Shall we remain at 
home while brave men seek the battle-field to die in our 
defense? No ! We have tarried too long already. {A 
Intgle call is heard in the distance). Hark ! The bugle- 
call of Freedom ! Our country calls — we must obey ! Write 
my name down on your list. Better die for the nation than 
live in dishonor. (Applmise. Grey writes name using 
drnm for table.) 

O'G-RADY (stej)ping forward to Greg). Write down 
the name of Dennis O'Grady. My native country was long 
since ruined by traitors, and from that time to this day her 
childerhave been at the feet of a tyrant. I hate the traitor 
everywhere, and in this, my adopted country, I'll fight the 
Southern traitors as long as I've blood in my veins. 

McGee. And I'll go 'long wid yez, me bhy. It's mar- 
ried fernenst me will I am, and I go to the war for the 
sakes av pace at home. Divil a wan of them rebels could 
be equal to the loikes of Widdy Maloney and seven childer 
to begin life wid. 

Schwartz. Make me down Schwartz on dat baper. 
Der Union is betterish goot as never vas. Der Bebel Con- 
federacy is a humpug und a schwindle. I fights mit Sigel. 

Johnson. Write down the name of John Johnson. 
( Others come fortcard and give their names.) 

Grey (closing book). Our list Ls complete, and I 



OR THE STOLEN WILL. 5 

am to announce that the ladies of Vallonia have prepared a 
banner which they will now formally present to our com- 
pany. Let some one who can drill the company take charge 
of it and form us in line to receive this honor. I nomin- 
ate for that duty the Mexican Veteran, O'Grady. 

Crowd. O'Grady ! O'Grady ! Sergeant O'Grady ! 

O'Grady. Fall in men. Be lively ! (//e forms cam- 
pan^L.) 

(^Entei- companij of ladies R., EfJtcl Dalgren at their head 
hearing a hatiner). 

Etlel. Citizen Soldiers : In answer to the call of honor, 
you are about to leave your homes to endure hardships and 
dangers in defense of the the Nation. You may not all 
return, but those who die for the right will ever be remem- 
bered, and the nation they ransom with blood will be ever 
precious to those who survive. You Avill take with you this 
symbol of our Nation's honor, made by the hands of those 
whose hearts will be with you and whose prayers will follow 
you in your marches, toils and triumphs. Cherish this 
emblem of liberty. Defend it with the courage of men and 
bring it back to us in the days of the great jubilee of peace, 
when the war shall have ended and the Nation is saved. 
(she presents flag to Edwin Grey who receives it and says:) 

Grey. Ladies : The beautiful banner you have made 
for us shall be defended in honor for the sake of the givers, 
and the motto embroidered on its silken folds is engraven on 
the hearts of the company. Preserve the Union or perish 
tcith it ! 

O'Grady. Now boys. Three cheers for the flag and 
the ladies! Hip! hip! hurrah! (cheers). 

Song: — Yes, we'll rally 'round the flag, boys, 

We'll rally once again, 

Shouting the battle cry of freedom. 

We'll rally from tlie hillsides. 

We'll gather from the plains, 

Shouting the battle' cry of freedom. 
Union forever! hurrah, boys, hurrah! 
Down witli the traitor! up with the star! 
While we rally 'round the flag, boys, rally once again, 
Shouting the battle cry of freedom. 

End of Act 1, 



A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

ACT 2. SCENE 1. — A campfire and Meaminf) Jcetlle of beans, c. 
Stack of arms r. and u. Soldiers grouped and employed variously, 
smokiny, playing cards, etc. Schwartz sitting behind kettle stirring 
contents withlong spoon. Johnson reading a newspaper. Craven 
in background pacing to and fro.) 

Johnson {folding jiajyer). The President's proclama- 
tion is a fair warning to the rebels, and they have a hundred 
days to consider it. Let them lay down their arms or loose 
their slaves. 

1st Soldier. I thought we were to fight for the Union, 
not for the negro. We never intended to interfere with 
slavery. What right have we to do so ? 

2nd Soldier. But emancipation is not the cause of the 
war, nor its object. It comes as a military necessity, and as 
a means of effectually crippling the enemy. I say, therefore, 
emancipate. The sooner the better, to end the war. 

3rd Soldier.. give us a rest on politics, and lets have 
a joke or a song 

Schwartz. Yah, music vas so better as bolitics, und 
dem beans vas ready booty soon. 

Johnson. Then let us have the song of the beans. All 
hands! (lie heals fi me) One, two, three, four, sing: 

{Air: Sweet Bye and Bye.) 
There's a spot that the soldiea,s all love, 

The mess tent 's th-e place that we mean, 
And the dish that we like to see there, 
Is the old-fashioned white army bean. 
Chorus: — "Tis the hean, that we mean, 

And we'll eat as we ne'er ate before, 
Tlie army bean, nice and clean. 
We'll stick to our beans evermore. 
The German is fond of sauer kraut. 
The potato is loved by the Mick, 
But the soldiers have long since found ont. 
That thro' life to our beans we should stick. 
Chorus: — 'Tis the bean, etc. 
[^Refrain. — Air: Tell Au.nt Khody.] 
Beans ftn- breakfast, 
Beans for dinner. 
Beans for supper, 
Beans, beans, beans. 
Craven. Sergeant, it is time for guard mount. 
O'Grady. Fall in, guards. {Mickn/, Johnson (did six 
others take guns. O' Grady drills them briefly in manual of arms. 
After which he commands: Rigid face I Forward, march ! ' Excimt 
R. E.) 



OR THE STOLEN WILL. 7 

ACT 2. SCENE 2. — Tennessee. A chicken coop l., pig pen v.. , etc., 
a hoiisein the distance. Enter 0' Grady and guard, n. 1st K. 

O'Grady. Halt! Sentinel nuinbcr four, you Avill take 
your position over this risidence of the fcatlierecl craytliurs 
and arrist ivery thavin son-of-a-gun that corues midliu round 
yerbate. {Jolinson takex position as sentinel). Attention, 
guards! Forward, march! (at pig sty) Halt! Number 
foive ? Phere the divil is number foive, now ? 

Schwartz. It vas Mickey McGee. He vas prokeu 
ranks oud. 

O'Grady. Thin I'll break the head av him and have 
him courtmartiald besides. 

Mtck. Sure, Sargint, its not foive I am. Bedads, I 
thought it was ten. Yez gave us the order whiles back to 
double up, an I doubled foive up to ten. I forgot the rick- 
election of meself intiroly. 

O'GrRADY. Your post IS here. Ye'll take charge of the 
pig pen and i)iously guard the contents of the same. 

Mick. Ohone, Sargint, an if the flays ate me up alive 
ye'll be afthcr tellin the Widdy Malouey that I died like a 
man for the sake of me country. 

O'Grady. Have no fear of the flays, man. If one 
crosses yer bate give him the bayonet. Attention, guard ! 
Forward! March! {E.remit 0' Gradij and guard). 

MiCK. Och ! MuTtheration. It's a foine time I'm 
having all to meself gharding pig pens for the rebels. Swate 
duty this is onyhow. Hillo, I've got the black shptilpeen. 
(claps his thumb on the hack of Jiis Jiand). Och, but it's 
hungry ye was. (rolls thiinth over carcfuUi/). Phere the 
divil are yez? Be the ptiwers of darkness and the light of 
the moon, its gone skeedadling away like a witch on a bit of a 
bhrumesl^ick. Hillo, number fcmr ! Is it ashlape yez are 
alriddy ? Wake up man ! Phat haave yez in the cantane ? 

Johnson- Buttermilk. 

Mick. And I've phiskey in mine. Buthermilk and 
phiskey should meet half way. Come off" the bate a little, 
and lets trate aich other, (fhet/ meet and drink). 

Johnson. How is it Mickey? 

Mick. lUigant. Shure if there's a drink in the worrld 
I loike betther than buthermilk it is phiskey. an if there's a 
drink more illegant than aitlier, its both toirither in a quart 
cup. 



8 A COMBADE'S LUCK, 

Johnson. Hist! Here comes some onel Back to your 
post! (^Enter Craven and Grey, R.) 

Mick. Halt! Who are yez, onyway? 

GrREY. Captain Craven and guard. 

Mick. Advance guard and give the countersign. ( The 
countersign is given and they 2^ass out of sight, L.) 

Johnson. Come this way again, Mickey. 

Mick. Wid all the plazure of life, if the baste phat gave 
the buthermilk is not dhry. 

Johnson. Plenty left, (they meet c.) Give us a toast, 
Mickey. 

Mick. Thin here's to the man phat jist passed, Captain 
Craven: May company A soon be rid of him and the 
divil fly off wid the bones av him. 

JoHNSO . He's bent on a sparking campaign to-night. 

Mick. Yis, an takin long wid him as body ghard a 
betther man than himself, the la'd he chated out of the 
commission. 

Johnson. I've lost all confidence in him of late. I be- 
lieve. Mickey, he would sell us out to the rebels. Look how 
he hangs around that old traitor, Judge Woodford, and how 
he makes an exhibition of us to the old rebel's girl. In the 
name of common sense, did we enlist in the United States 
Army to be a fancy guard for a popinjay's courtship, or 
stand sentry over pig pens and clnqken coops? 

Mick. No ! be the powers. I took up arms to retreat 
in good order from the Widdy Maloney and her seven child- 
ren. But phat is that comin this way. Halt and mark time, 
or I'll blow the head off yez intoirely. Who are yez, ony- 
how? {Enter Caesar, R.) 

Caesar. I's only a nigger what belongs on de place here. 

Mick. An phat is it yez could be wan tin this way? 
Foine toime o' night for naygurs to be out. (Menaces negro 
ivith hayonety 

Johnson. Don't frighten him Mickey. What is your 
name, sir? 

Caes. Caesar, sah. 

Johnson. Caesar what? 

C. Jes Caesar, sah, dat's all. 

J. Well Caesar, why don't you leave that old rebel who 
calls himself your master, and come along with us to be a 
soldier? 



OR THE 8T0LKN WILL. 9 

C. Wouldn't like dat at all, sah. It am clean agin 
nature, sah. 

J. Why so? 

C Why, you hearn about dem two dogs what fight 
ober de bone ? 

J. Yes. 

C. But you don't nebber hear dat de bone fight? 

J. Certainly not. What of that? 

C. Why, you sees, Massa, dis chile am de bone ob con- 
tention. "Taint fashionable for de bone to fight. 

Mick. Mr. Johnson, how the divil kin ye dcmane yer- 
self to hold conversation wid a dirthy naygur? Sure the 
black baste will git de best of yez ivery time, wid the im- 
pudence of himself. 

Caes. Yah! Yah! Dat's so, but dat ain't what I 
come to tole yer. Dem rebels am comin ter-night shore. 
I heard it from a nigger what blongs on Marsa Dunbar's 
plantation. Col. Dunbar am comin to-night wid five hun- 
dred ferrillers. Youz bettor git dat Cap'n ob de company 
outen de parlor from young Miss and all youens git ready 
or dat stockade will be tuck in less'n no time, {stoops to the 
gronnd and listens). Dah, now, hear bosses foot plain. 

JoANSON {stooping to listen). It is true, Mickey. Our 
orders are to fall back to the stockade in case of danger. 
Let's go by the house and warn Captain Craven. AVon't 
you come with us, Caesar ? 

Caes. No sah ! De bone don't fight. 
(Exeunt.) 



ACT. 2. SCENE 3.— ,4 parlor in the house of Judge Woodford. 
Graven and Lenore at a table playiny chess. 

Lenore. This little game is said to illustrate the sci- 
ence of war. Do you find it so, Captain ? 

Craven. Only in so far as they are both matters of 
pastime for those who move the men. 

L. (inoving apiece). Check! 

C (confusedly). I must lose a pawn. 

L. There is no alternative. (The// maJce several moves, 
meantime enter c. D. Col. Dunbar and attendants. Dun- 
bar stealthilt/ approaches Craven). 

C. Your knight endangers my castle. I must move it 
at all hazzards. (^^moves a ^^iece). 



10 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

L. Too late, sir, (moviag a j^i'^ce) you are surrounded. 
Check mate ! Now surrender ! 

Dunbar. Surrender ! {a pistol is jwinfed at Craven, 
who throws up his Icands). 

Cra. Don't! don't slioot! I surrender without conditions. 

L. Ha! ha! Captain, You are doubly checkmated. 
Do you now not see there is strat jgy in chess and war? 

Dun. Yankee! You must surrender that stockade. 
Surrender it at once, or we will carry it by assault and roast 
the last one of you alive. 

Cra. Oh! my goodness, General, don't do that. I'll 
surrender everything right away. 

Dun. Order your guard on the porch to put down his 
gun and come in. Let him not suspect. Go you {to an at- 
tendant by the rear and secure the gun. {Exit attend' t R.) 

CuA. [goes to tcindoio). Grey! Come here, and get a 
dispalch for the stockade. It is important. Come instant- 
ly. Leave your gun. 

Dun. Who is your second in command? 

Cra. Lieutenant Dalgren. 

Dun. Take a seat, sir. {Craven sits). Lenore, some 
paper. {She hri7}gs paper, p)<ii^ (^'>id inlc). Write an order 
to Lieut. Dalgreu to march immediately with half tlie com- 
pany down the river to the long trestle to meet Genl. Neg- 
ley th yre at midnight to join in an expedition against the 
guerrillas. Sign it officially, and countersign it by oi'der 
' Gen. Negley in command of the Dejitartment of Middle 
Tennessee. Craven writes). 

Cra. It is written. 

DiJN. And duly signed, llemember, sir, if this mis- 
carries, we blow your brains out. 

Cra. No fear but Lieut. Dalgren will obey orders. 
{Enter Grey, R. Makes shov) of resistance ivhen ordered 
fo yield). Surrender! Surrender! It's no use to fight. 
We are surrounded. {Grey siirrende/'s). 

Dun. Watch that fellow closely. Dock, {to an attend- 
ant ) put on your Yankee toggery and take this order to the 
stockade. Report to me as soon as the Yankee Lieutenant 
starts for the trestle. {Exit attendant). What have you in 
your pocket, Captain? {searches him). Hello, what's this ? 
Lenore, your scissors. {Lenore rij)s liiiing of coat and takes 
forth a jiajier). 



OR TIIK STOLEX WILL. 11 

Lenore. What precious document is this, cousin? The 
vahant Captain's commission? 

Dun. {after reading). Why, this is the will of one 
Robert St. Clair, bequeathing to his niece, Ethel Dalgreu, half 
a million of dollars. It is duly signed, sealed and attested, 
but does not appear to have been recorded anywhere. This 
precious scamp must ha^'e stolen it. 

Cra. No: No! I— 

Dun. {placing will on tahle). Yankee, I am lawyer 
enough to know that this document you carry so carefully 
concealed, is a genuine will, and I apprehend it is worth a 
great deal to you. Now, I'll surrender it back to you on 
one condition. 

Cra. Name the condition. 

Dun. Come this way. {Tlicy eonverse apart in dnr.ih 
show. Lenore leaves small i'eheljlag a)id sijigs:) 

Farewell fin-ever, old Star Spangled Banner, 
No longer you'll wave o'er the land of the free, 
For we have unfurled to the broad breeze of Heaven, 
Thirteen bright stars "round the palmetto tree. 

Dun. {aloud). And you will arrange to betray General 
Negley's command ? 

Cra. Provided you return me the will and destroy that 
witness of my treason. 

Dt:N. Murder my prisoner ! {Aside — No matter, I'll 
deceive him, and, ha ! ha ! tell him no lie, either.) He shall die. 

Cra. Then I am bound to you. 

Dun. a bloody compact ! Search that fellow. {Attend- 
ant jxioceeds to .search Grey. A package of letters and a photogriiph 
are taken from him. ami passed to Dunbar.) 

T>\:'f^. {loohing at photograpli). A Yankee girl! By 
Jove, what a lovely face ! When we take the war home to 
the Yanks, I mean to call on thnt girl ; meantime, I'll keep 
the picture. {Ashe is putting the pdiotograph in his pocket 
Edwin Grey .matches the ivill and picture and rushes out R., closing 
and bolting the door. Dunbar and attendants try to open the door. 
Mcanwliilc a scuffle is heard on the porch. A gun is fired without. The 
door yields, a rebel soldier staggers in and falls orer the threshold dead. 
Exeunt Dunbar and others i\. Enter Mickey and Johnson l.) 

Mick. Phere the divil is the Captain? Ochone, we're 
all kilt intirely. {discovers corpse of rebel soldier. ) A dead 
Eibbil! O, l)e jabbers! Phat '11 become of us ! Come 
out of this now ! (^Exeunt.) 



12 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

ACT 2. SCENE i.—The. stockade. Alarm without. Soldiers snatch 
their accoutrements. 

Voice at the Gate. Open ! 

O'Grady. "Who comes there ! 

Voice. A comrade. Open quickly, I am pursued! 
(Gate opens. Enter Grey.) 

Grey. Comrades, we are basely betrayed! Craven has 
sold us to the Guerrillas ! AVhere is Lieutenant Dalgren 
and the other men? 

O'Grady. Gone to meet General Negley at the lower 
bridge, by orders of the Captain. 

Grey. Then he has gone to his death. Craven has 
betrayed him into ambush. The stockade will be stormed ' 
in a few moments ! 

Schwartz. Der Cabptain is so tammed a coward as a 
dog. Ve are not so many men as to fight dem rebbels. 
Vat ve shall do now, Sarghent ! 

O'Grady. Hold the fort against ivery odds. 

Schwartz. Vel, I fights so long as anybody, but I like 
not to fight mitout ve do some good. ( VoJU'i/s nf muslxctri/ 
outside.) 

O'Grady. To the port holes, ivery man av yez ! 

Voice {loithonf). Bloody murther, let me in! Open 
the gate, or I'll climb over the top av itl Let me in ! Let 
me in ! It's Mickey McGee, the Widdy Maloney's man, 
shot thro' the gizzard wid a cannon ball. ( Gate ojjens, — 
Mickeii rushes in. 

Mick. 0,begobs! We're all kilt now intirely. The 
Rebels are all around us and iverybody is a prishoner. Phere 
ismephiskey? (feels, for caiifeeu). Death and tin thousand 
black cats, they've shot the canteen right aft" the nick of meself 
( Yells and firing without) . 

G'Grady. Here they come ! Now, men, stiddy, and let 
'em come ! Shoot as soon as iver ye git aim ! {Firing^ noise, 
confusion. 0^ Grady falls, wounded.) 

Schwartz. Shoot so quick as you can ! Dem Rebels is 
runnin booty soon, (shoots). Dot vas pishness! Hurrah'. 
Dem Rebels ish vipped ! (Firing ceases). 

O'Grady. It's a dyin bhy I am. O'Grady has fought 
his last battle. To you, Edwin Grey, I leave the command. 
Don't give up, me bhy, as long as there's a man alive in the 
fort. Arrah ! but it's a sorry thing to die and be buried 
away from Norah and the childer. 



OR THE STOLEN "WILL. 13 

Mick. Take comfort, man. Sure, it's for the counthry 
ye're dyin, not\'; and the counthry must befrind yer widdy 
and childer. 

Schwartz. So must it be, oder de gountry would not be 
vort to fight for. 

GiiEY. Hark ! They rally ! To your post^;, men ! Be 
brave, and God defend the right! (^Ye/ls and firinij — sol- 
diers fall one bji one). 

Di]'SBAK(ivifhoiif). Surrender! Your stockade is on 
fire ! Haul down your flag ! 

Grey. Come and take it ! 

Dunbar. Attention, batallion ! Fix bayonets! Charge! 
[The gate is hatfcred down. Rebels rush into the fort and its defenders 
are killed or fall wounded. A number of rebels also are killed. Mcan- 
tvhile Dunbar and Grey meet in sword combat, they fight over the flag — 
Grey falls, clutching flay to his bosom.) 

Dunbar [iciping his siconl). By Jehovah ! he has won 
a soldier's grave. He deserves an honorable one. {Rebel at- 
tempts to take Jl(fff). Leave him his flag for a winding sheet. 
Spread it over his bosom: brave men honor the brave. 
(Bugle notes in clistanee). Hark! the signal fur help! 
Away to triumph over the Lieutenant's party. (Exeunt). 



ACT 2. SCENE 5. — A forr est and river. Enter Dalgren and com- 
pany, n., E., driven in by rebels and forced fighting across stage to l. 

DaLvI. Steady men ! Close up ! Charge ! ( Rehels are 

driven across stage to R. E.) 

Rebel Lieut, (crossing sicords wifli D<tly.) Fall back 
men! Give way right and left ! (exeunt rebels) Battery un- 
mask ! 

Dalg. Down! (Dalgren ajiel forces stooj), — as tlxey do 

so there is a discharge of artillery, several of JAeut. Dalgren s men hit) 
Close up! Come on! Give them steel ! Charge the battery! 
{Exeunt ii. Firing is heard behind scenes, yells, discharge of artillery, 
etc., when re-enter Dalgren and company, driven in by the rebels.) 

Rebel Lieut. Surrender! 

Dalo. Never ! ( They engage in sioord fight. Rebel 
Leadei- falls to his knees. Several have fallen on either side. Dalgren s 
sword arm is broken.) 

Rebel Lieut. Curse their bayonets! Fall back, 
men, to cover ! 

Dalo. {waving su-ord with left hand). Close up men! 
Unkennel the bushwhackers ! ( The rebels are forced haclc, 
when enter Dunbar l. with rebel forces). 



14 A* COMRADE'S LUC^K, 

Dunbar. Fire! {a volley is disclutrged — Dalg. fells 
tciih several others). Cover ! (Dunbar s forces fall hack to cover.) 

Dalg. Rear rank, about face ! Steady front. 

Dunbar (/roj3JC(5i-er). Surrender! You are surrounded! 

Dalg. (to a soldier near him). Sergeant, take command. 
Try to cut tlirough tlicm to the stockade. Ah God ! my 
wife ! my child ! Tell Craven to befriend them. (dies). 

Dunbar (from cover). Will you yield, or be shot down? 
Your stockade has been taken. You can neither fight nor 
retreat. 

Sergt. There is no choice, then, but death or captivity. 
Naturally we prefer the latter. Stack arms ! ( Union 
forces stack their guns. Meantime enter Dunbar with rebel soldiers). 
To whom do we surrender ? (tending his sword). 

Dunbar. To a detachment of (ien. Morgan's command. 

Sergt. Then we expect honorable usage. 

Dunbar. We never abuse prisoners. Orderl}^, take the 
Yankee's sword, (a non-commissioned officer receives the 
Serfjexmt' s sword. Theprisoners are searched and the contents of their 
jyocketspromiscuoxisly ajyjjropriated by the rebels). 



ACT 2. SCENE 0.— Outside the stockade. Enter Craven, u. He 
stoojjs to the ground, and listens. 

Craven. The firing has ceased. Dalgren is killed or 
captured. The rebels will return in a few moments. I must 
have one look into the stockade, and then hasten back to my 
hiding place in the forest, (exit). 



ACT 2. SCENE 7. — Inside stockade. Tindiers burning. Union sol- 
diers lying as they fell during the buttle. Enter Craven, l. 

Craven. Are they dead, all? Well, I was lucky to be 
out of this. That flag; I'll take it back to Yallonia, and 
swear I defended it to the last, (lifts Jl<ig). Ha! PJdwin 
Grey ! Dead ! That will ! that will ! I must find that 
will! (searches Edwins bosom, takes forth will). Ha! I 
have the precious document. Now for home and the girl. 
(Exit). 

Mickey (rising painfull// and slowl/y). Ochone, but it's 
a mane man that, shtalin from the dead, afther gittin us all 
kilt by his trayzon. Och, but he's the Divil's own lawyer ! 
(Gray groans). Sure, somebody is livin beside meself. 
Edwin, me bhy, is it livin yez are ? Shpake out at once, if 



OR tiil; stolen WII L. 15 

ye're dead, or no. (Crairh (oirard E(/>ci)t, jyhtcrs JkijuI on 
Scliirarf.z, dead). Ah, Schwartz, ye'U ate no more b;nirs. 
Pace to your ghost. May it fly away to Heavi'n before the 
divil knows ye're dead. Ah, begorra, if iver I git back to 
the AViddy ^laloney, its foine tales I'l be tellin her. reaches 
Edirni). Its bladin to death, yez are. Av I could only stop 
the blood, the wound is not mortal. ( Htanc.hes blood vntk 
handkerclilef. ) Come out of this, me bhy, or be roasted alive. 
Come, lane on me, and we'll crawl outside in'irely. < As they 
<ire craivUmj out, rebel soldiers enter.) 

Ekijel. What, you are not all dead? Ctme ou' taid lidl 
in with the other prisoners, (helps them out . 

ACT 3. SCENE 1. — Andcrsonville. A number of prisoners, rag- 
ged and hctf/fjard, grouped about a dead comrade. 

First Prisoner. Who is he? 

Second Prisoner. Lord only knows. He has his ; a- 
role of honor at last, whoever he may be. 

Third Prisoner. I know his face, but canno' cc'' I'is 
name. He is from East Tennessee, an old Belle h\- nd 
prisoner, and the boys he was captured wi h have ali < < Ji -. 
before him to the graveyard. (Enter Wirz, R. K. 

WiRTZ. Der dead house is full, and dcre is uuruom !( r 
more. Dis poddy must vait and pe perried to-morrow oi d' r 
next tay. Brizners, I speaks mit you like a rent. D- r 
Yankee government vill not exchange for you, n ver. Pei'st 
Putler vill not gif brizner for brizner under der old c;.r el. 
He thinks not that one Yankee brizner is W( r' one v bel 
brizner, und py tarn I think so, too. Veil, d; re is no lioj e 
for exchange, {haying of hounds is heard) You hix an 
togs? Better you try to get to Hefen mitout de ieiiVe, as 
run avay from de brizon while I have de charge of iv. D re 
is but one chance for you, and that is the Oat oi AH gi- 
ance. Will you take it? 

Prisoners. Never! 

WiRTZ. Den starve in brizon and die mit de n t ! 

1st Pris. The Rebellion is on its last legs. You have 
robbed the cradle and the grave for recruits, and nov/ \v.\\ want 
us prisoners to enlist in your army, but we will never do it. 

Wirtz. Den die and pe tammed. shoots — prisoner 
falls) Py Jove, I does more goot here than ten regim. nt 
at the front. (Exit R.) 



16 A COMKADE'S LUCK, 

ACT 3. SCENE 2.—Aj>nsonccll. Edwin Grey and 3Iickei/ Mc Gee 
in close confinement. 

Grey. Four long and dreary months — four months of 
living death in this hell. Dead to the world : alive only to 
the keen pangs of starvation. Home, friends, mother! 
Ah, Mickey, I had the best mother in the world. 

Mick. Cheer up, me bhy. Don't shpake of it. Cheer 
up. We'll be exchanged by and by, I'm thinkin. 

G. Exchange! Parole! I've listened to the music of 
those words, and after each disappointment have hoped 
again, and hoped on till of late despair seems to have 
taken right hold of my heart, and a pain as of death seems 
to be lodged there. It will not go away, tho' I've tried my 
best to banish it. 

M. Sure lad, the pain is not in your heart, but the 
stomach, jist. If it was not for the wee bit of tobaccy 
phat the naygur gave me, I'd fale that same pain meself. 
Cheer up, an try to be a man. Sure, we'll git out o' this 
some foine day, or why did we escape so many scrapes 
alridy? 

G. I've often thought of that. Why were we left alive, 
when so many brave men were shot down? I think some- 
times the Lord intended we should escape to tell the story 
of that man Craven's treachery. 

M. Now, indade, ye make me sick at the stomick. It 
was a sorry day for us all when he took charge of the com- 
pany. It was as foine a company as iver marched to bat- 
tle, and the likes of O'Grady for a Sarghint was niver sane 
in the worrild before, and Liftenant Dalgren was as good an 
officer as iver stood on two shanks. Maybe the mane de- 
cavin villain phat betrayed us all is even now at this minit 
makin love to Miss Ethel, tellin her all sorts of decateful 
stories. 

0. Forbear, Mickey ! Say no more. That thought is 
poison to me. I cannot endure to hear you mention the 
name of John Dalgren's daughter in the same breath with 
that of the wretch who betrayed her father to his death. 

M. Beaizy,lad. Don't walk about so woild-like. Sure, 
the naygur will be afther bringin us our two pieces of 
bread soon. Ah, begobs, if I was jist back to the Widdy 
Maloney, I'd be contint. She was a mild shpoken woman, 
once in a while, jist, and an angel altogither — to fry eggs. 



OTl THE STOLEN WILL. 17 

I moind well the dinner she gave the Praste that day his 
riverance came to didicate the big chapel. I moind well 
the illegant shoat that sat in the dish fernenst his riverance, 
wid the brown little praties all round it. Och, but the 
rickerlection of that same makes me mouth wather intirely. 
Murther, why don't the black naygur come wid our bits of 
bread. 

Gr. Mickey, let's make one more effort to escape. We 
have tried twice. The third time is said to be the charm. 

M. Upon me soul an that's no lie. "We've twice tried 
and are close locked up for that same, but I'm wid ye, me 
bhy, for a third trial; how will we manage it? 

Gr. Overpower the jailer and lock him securely gagged 
in the cell. 

M. And thin walk out as bould as two bricks, and 
whin we git a shtart shtrike out for the swamps of the 
Oemulgee. But here comes the naygur wid our rations. 
[Enter negro with tivo small pieces of bread and a twist of tobacco. ) 

Negbo. Done brung yer rations, Massa Glrey, an here 
am a twist of bacca for the outlandish genTman. 

M. Upon me word, I belave ye've a soul in yez, if yez 
are a naygur. . 

N. To be shore dis chile got a soul in 'im. You spose 
de good Lawd make a man and not put a soul in 'im? 

Gr. We prisoners have always found the whitest souls 
under the darkest skins. They are our best friends. 

N. Yah! we knows. De great day of jubilee am 
comin.' We'se bin a waitin for it, and singin for it an 
prayin for it. 

Gr. Could you not help us to escape ? 

N. Shore, I can. 

M. Thin do it, bedads, an I'll say ye've a soul as big as 
a barn door. 

Gr. How will you help us ? 

N. " Well, yer see, dey are gwine to hab a big blow-out 
at de jailer's house ter-night, for his youngest gal am gwine 
ter git married. De jailer will be shore to git on a tare 
like he done las' year when his toder gal got married, an he 
will be stone blin' drunk as a loon. Den when de n)oon 
begins to rise I'll steal de keys outen de drawer an onlock 
you out. 



18 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

G. But how will we keep the hounds from trailing us ? 

N. Jes do like de oder niggers do, an you'll spile de 
scent. I'll fetch you a lump o' sassifetida. Jes rub dat on 
yousef when you is gone a short distance, an you'll spile de 
scent so de hounds will lose de trail. 

Voice {^vithout). Hurry up, you rascal, or I'll be after 
you with a black snake ! 

N. Comin, Massa; right now, Massa. 

Gr. For God's sake, do not fail us to-night! 

N. Don't be fraid. I'll do what I says I'll do. (^Exit 
negro.) 

M. Phat the divil does he mean now by a black snakes? 

G. . Oh, a whip, I suppose. 

M. Murtheration. Phat a counthry, phere they bate a 
naygur gintleman wid a black snakes. 

ACT 3. SCENE 8 — ^/om<. Time: night. Baying of hound.'S in 
the di.'itanci'.. Enter Negro stealthily. Ilfl stoops, listens, and then 
backons R. 

NeciRO. Come on ! Come on ! {Enter Grey and Mich- 
ey. They pass over the stage. Afterwards enter Wirtz and rebels — 
they pass across stage. Then re-enter Negro, Grey and Mickey.) 
Make haste now. an spile de trail. Gimme dat oder foot. 
Rub him in well. {Ruhs assmfvetkla on Grey., Midxcy and 
hunxi'lf.) Dar. now, dat's nough. (E.cp.nnt.) 



ACT 4. SCENE 1. — Indiana. Room in a farm house. Widow 
Dalgren and Ethel. 

Widow. I would not say one word, Ethel, to influence 
you iu this matter, but it is my duty to explain our posi- 
tion so that you will have a clear conception of the embar- 
rassments which surround us. One question, however, you 
should answer, and I know you will do so with frankness. 
What are your feelings towards Cajitain Craven ? Do you 
love him ? 

Ethel. I do not. I am grateful to him for his kind- 
ness to us and for his goodness to father when wounded, 
bvit I do not think of him in any other sentiment than 
frienpship. 

Widow. Friendship is generally more lasting than love. 
Listen, Ethel. The notes your father extended to Captain 
Craven has been due for some time, but he has never de- 



OR THE STOLEN WtLL. 19 

niancled payment. He mijiht have pressed those notes, and 
as ho 111 lids a mortgage, could have sold our home. Your 
father's letter, written in his dying hour, conjures us to 
place confidence in Captain Craven as his best i'riend and 
true comrade, wlio sought his body on the scone of that 
fearful ambuscade, and administered t(j him wlien mortally 
wounded. I uidcr such obligations to him it would seem 
no easy matter to lightly reject his proposal. 

Ethel. I — I am not ungrateful, but I — I do not want 
to marry Captain Craven. 

W. Then I will not urge you to a distasteful match, 
but as your mother, let me advise you to think seriously on 
this important subject. 

E. I am sure, mother, you know what is best. I will 
think of it. 

^V. Do not suppose, Ethel, that I want to dictate to you. 
T only wish you to please yourself You need give no an- 
swer to his proposal until you have considered the matter 
well. {Exit Widuw.) 

E. The wishes of my mother have always been to me 
as sacred as her commands. It is evident she thinks it best 
for me to accept this propositi ; but if I marry Captain 
Craven, would I ever be able to forget Edwin Grey? Would 
not his face alwa3's haunt my remembrance, and charge me 
with being false to my own heart. There is a fiercte pain in 
the very thought of this. Besides, I fear Captain Craven 
is not all he seems. But I must not speak or think thus. 
It is slieer ingratitude. ^len should be judged by their ac- 
tions, and the acts of Captain Craven have always shown 
him to he our friend. He has placed us under the most 
sacred obligations by his kindness to father. What is my 
duty? Mother wants me to marry him, and for her sake 
and the sake of my dead father, I will trust him, though 
my heart breaks with its wild struggles. ( Wcepa. A rap- 
ping at I lie door. Ethfl drii'x her fears and admits Craren. He takes 
her hand and comes fonrard. ) 

Craven. I leave to-morrow for the front. I shall 
probably never see you again, but ere I go give me an an- 
swer. Pledge me your troth, and if I fall on the battle 
fiield, I shall have in death the happiness to know that ono 
true heart clierishes my memory. 



20 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

E. Captain Craven, you have my esteem. My heart 
has long been given to another. 

C. But that one is, alas ! no more. He died as many 
others must yet die — for the country. He was my friend, 
my comrade in arms, and in his sacred memory I would 
offer to befriend and protect you. Will you send me away 
with a feeling that you despise me — reject me — scorn my 
friendship? 

E. I do not despise or scorn, but I have only friendship 
to offer. 

C. I ask no more. The memory of Edwin shall be 
sacred to me as to you. Only give me your promise and I 
shall be content. 

E. I dare not answer now. I am not ungrateful, but 
I — I must have time to think. • 

C. Ethel, you are cruel. I must go without a hope, 
and I shall ^eek death in battle as the only relief from your 
scorn. 

E. I scorn you not. I scorn only to be an ingrate. 
Take my promise, if you will. 

C. Let it be given at the altar tomorrow. I will but 
kiss your hand, and march to the front, and I shall not re- 
turn to claim my bride until the war is ended, and our 
country is saved. 

E. Let it be as you say, and now I beseech you leave 
me. 

C. You will meet me at the altar then to-morrow, (he 
takes her hand). 

E. To-morrow, if I am living, I will meet you there. 

C. Till then, adieu ! (IJxit). 

E. To-morrow ! ah, me ! I fear 'twill be but the begin- 
ning of many a sad tomorrow. My heart is filled with 
foreboding of I know not what, (sits partly reclining on 
sofa, hands clasped in attitude of prayer, sobs convulsively. 
The curtain falls, and after a brief interval of sad music 
rises, disclosing a tahleau in which Etliel ajypears asleep 
and unpleasantly dreaming, wldle in the background the 
vision of her deceased father is shown, with uniform torn, 
his arm shot away and blood stains on his face. lie 
points loith a broken sword to the cronchiag figure of 
Craven, whose left ha)id is outstretched as if to grasp 



OR THE STOLKN WILL. 21 

Efhel, while Aw rifffit hand, holding a jlay, is plaeed so as to screen 
his face from detection.) 

Vi. [start !)ig from deep (IS the vi'sioit V((itis/u's). What 
a fearful dream ! my father ! 



ACT 4. SCENE 2. — Room in farm house. Widow Dalgrcn and 
Ethel. 

Widow. Look not so sad, Ethel. It is true marriage 
is a fearful responsibility, but I know you will make a hap- 
py wife. A good daughter must needs become a good 
wife. 

Ethel. Ah, mother, if I had not given my promise, 
or could retract it ! 

W. But it is too late to think of that now. 

E. Alas ! my heart is heavy. You know not how it 
has been aching since yesterday. The moment my promise 
was given, I felt somehow that I had done wrong. I strove 
against the feeling, but it overcame me in spite of my 
struggles. At length, exhausted, I sank to sleep, but my 
forebodings only assumed a more vivid appearance in my 
dreams. Methought, I saw my father, not as when he 
marched away to the war, but with uniform torn and blood- 
stained. His arm was gone and there was blood dripping 
from a wound in his face. He frowned sternly upon me, 
and pointed a broken sword at the form of a man cowering 
away from him, and I seemed to hear the voice of my 
father thrill with wrath, as he said, ^^ Beicare of the trait- 
or .'" That fearful warning rings yet in my ears. What 
does the vision mean, mother ? 

W. It was only your feverish imagination. There is no 
truth in dreams. 

E. This one had such an appearance of reality, was so 
vivid,' and the face of my ftither seemed so stern and his 
voice so dreadful, as he uttered the wor^ls, "Beware of the 
traitor," that it was long before I could believe it was only 
a dream. Alas ! if it was a warning, it has come too late ! 
(^A knocking at the duor). 

W. The company has arrived. Come, let us meet 
them in the parlor. {Exeunt r.) 



2-2 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

ACT 4. SCENE ». — .i parlor. A table decorated as an altar. 
Craven and Ethel with hand.s Joined. Minister and coiiipani/. 

Minister. If any man knows just cause or impedi- 
ment, why these two persons. Hugh Craven and Ethel Dal- 
gren, should not be joined in holy wedlock, let him speak 
now or ever afterwards hold his peace. Wilt thou, Hugh 
Craven, have this woman, Ethel Dalgreen, to be thy lawful 
wife ; wilt thou love, comfort and cherish her, in sickness 
and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only to 
her, so long as you both shall live. Dost thou promise this 
in the presence of Almighty (^1 noise at the dvor). 

Voice. Sthop that now ! (^Enter Mlcliey^ i^npportlng 
Edtvin Grei/, followed hy Negro, k. ) 

Mickey. Here is a gentleman phat would spake wid 
yez av he can find the voice av himself. 

Craven. Let the cerenKuiy proceed. 

Minister. It cannot proceed until the cause of this 
interruption is known. Speak, sir ! 

Grey. I come to denounce Hugh Craver as a traitor, a 
nuirderer and a coward. Hti sold his command in my pres- 
ence to the enemy, betrayed Lieut. Dalgren into an ambus- 
cade and caused his death. I denounce this man Hugh 
Craver as a thief. He has stolen a will under which Ethel 
Dalgren inherits a fortune. He keeps that will now con- 
cealed and designs to claim the fortune after this unholy 
marriage. 

C. Finish the -ceremony, we have no time now to bandy 
words with a mad man. 

M. Then it's soon ye'U have toime to bandy words wid 
the Judge Advocate. I've ordhers to arrist yez and be 
jabers, I'll be doin that same in spite of yeself, {Michcij 
seizes Craven). It's a foine charge and a full yard of spec- 
ifications yell have to answer at head((uarters, an' if yez 
get oft' unhanged, me name's not the Widdy Malony's hus- 
band. ( Gtejy and Ethel shakes hands. Craven glares 
upon them and tries to break loose from Miekey). 

M. (leading Craven off). Come along wid yez. The 
traitor's doom is dfeath. 

Minister. And such be the doom of all traitors, 



OR THE STOLKN WILL. 2:5 

ACT "i. SCENE 1.— .1 field. Tents in the distance. Beat of 
muffled drum behind scenes R., and tramp of funeral proce.mon 
sloirli/ approaching. After a feu- .seconds, the command is heard 
Column Left March! ichen enter 2 R. K. officer of the day, with 
guard canductinr/ Craven to execution. Xear 2 l. e., the officer of 
the day faces about and gives command, Halt! 

Sergt. op G-uard. Halt ! Front face ! 

0. D. Retire from the prisoner. 

S. Guards to the I'ear, two paces ! march ! right dress ! 
order arms! parade rest! (Theae movements being exe- 
cuted. Craven stands alone near c. of stage, facing officer of the dag. 

0. D. (talcing from belt a paper read.s). 

Headquarters Army of the Cumberland, ^ 
May 5th, 1864. ( 

The proceedings, findings and sentence of the court mar- 
tial in the case of Hugh Craven, late Captain, U. S. 
Volunteers, having been submitted to the President of the 
United States liavo been approved by hina. It is therefore 
ordered that Hugh Craven be shot to death at the head of 
his coffin on the oth day of June, 1864, between the hours 
of nine and eleven o'clock a. m. A detail of eight men 
and a sergeant from the 40tli Regiment of Regular Infan- 
try will, under command of a captain as officer of the day 
of said regiment, execute the said sentence according to the 
lette'r and jmrport of tlie same. By order of 

^ (rEORUE H. Thomas, Major General. 

F. A. Dalton, a. a. G. 

Prisoner, you have heard the sentence, which it is our 
painful duty to execute. Your hour is at hand ! We 
would gladly extend you any ftivor consistent with our duty. 
Have you a last request to make. 

Craven. None ! The day for supplication is past and 
I feel only contempt for these funeral horrors and the sol- 
emn wording of that warrant, with which you would terri- 
fy me into confession. The victim of a flimsy conspiracy, 
and an ignorant court martial, I scorn both judge and exe- 
cutioner. Curse them all ! May fire and sword eat into 
the heart of the North ! May the Union cause go down 
in blood ! May Yankee skulls bleach unburied on Southern 
battle fields ! May the flesh and blood of Union men rot 
into the soil of rebel prisons, and may helpless cripples fill 



24 A COMRADE'S LUCK, 

Northern homes, supplicating charity at the hands of ava- 
rice. 

0. D. The curse of a dying traitor recoil on your own 
soul! The cause you have Ibetrayed will triumph. The 
bones of Union soldiers will not bleach in the sun, but rest 
in honored graves, and the cripples of the war will never 
need to supplicate charity, for they will receive justice at 
the hands of a grateful nation. 

C. Time will give the lie to your prophesy. May the 
curse of innocent blood cling to you all forever ! 

0. D. Sergeant, conduct the prisoner to the place of 
execution. 

S. Attention, guard ! carry arms ! forward two paces ! 
left face ! forward march ! (^Exeunt 2nd L. E., doio heat 
of muffled drum behind scenes L., as ciirtain decends). 



ACT 5. SCENE 2. — A parlor in house of Widoio Dalgren, Enter 
Widow aud Captain Grey. 

Grey. No clue to the stolen will, no confession what- 
ever could be wrung from Craven. He died as he had lived 
a villain to the last. 

Widow. His unrepenting perfidy forbids all pity. 

Gr. I had an interview with him the day before his 
execution and in the approaching shadows of his fearful 
doom, besought him to place me in possession of the will. 
He gnashed his teeth at me and hissed: "That will, sir, is 
a handful of ashes. Ethel Dalgreen will never enjoy the 
fortune of her uncle." 

W. Then he has burned the will and there remains no 
hope of establishing Ethel's claim. She can bring you no 
dower. Captain Grey, except a loving heart. 

G. I ask none other. I care nothing for the fortune. 
Let its loss be no bar to your consent. 

W. You certainly have my full and free consent. Love 
without money is far better than money without love. 
(Boor hell ringx.) I must leave you now to answer a call 
at the door, meanwhile make yourself at home. i^Exit Wi- 
dow c. D.) 

G. I'm the happiest fellow in the universe, about to be 
married to the girl I've loved since I was a school boy, 
{crosses to R. E., and stands looking). Ahl there she 



1)1! 'I'llE STiiI.KN Wri.l,. j:. 

comes. Ill go to meet lu^r where llie ilowens .-ind soiiu' 
birds will lend eiiehantmeiit to our umtual vows. ( Exit 
(ri-eij, R. K. Enter. Mickiij. c. d. ) 

Mickey. Has Cu])id run claiie oft' vvid him? Sure, 
the Widdy Dalgrane tould me Id Ibind him here, (crussi's 
to R. E., and looks out). Phat the divil does he mane now 
pokin' his face in the young lady's boimet ? Arrah, ua 
pogue ! that was love among the roses anyhow. But it s 
not the fashion of the ould country to be watchin" a young 
couple sparkin . ( Goe!^ to loircr conwr o'f yooj//. K.. (UhI 
looks (i.t u pictnrt' on tlic iraU.) Oclione! The picture of 
Liftenant l)algrane. A betther man never tasted salt. It's 
a consolation anyhow to know that the villain who be- 
trayed ye is at the prisint moment squarrin accounts wid 
his own law partner, the divil. {Enffrn.. (irci/and Eflirl. 
They do not observe Mlckeij). 

(1. I suppose I must submit, but tell me Ethel why 
Vou wish to postpone our marriage an entire week. 

Ethel. Oh. there can be no harm in a little delay. 

(j. A little delay. Why it seems an age. A whole 
week. 

E. 'J'he time will quickly pass. Besides, we ])romised 
our mutual friend, Mickey, that he should be present at the 
wedding. 

(j. True, but his furlough was signed with mine and 1 
expect him here next Sunday. Will you not consent tliat 
the wedding shall be the day of his arrival. 

E. If you insist on that day, yes ! 

ix. Then it is an agreement. 

E. A bargain. 

M. {coming foinrard). Wid a livin" witness to the 
same. 

(I. Ha! ha! welcome, Sergeant! you ai-e fairly cap- 
tured, Ethel, r insLSt on the day. 

E. l>ut this was a trick. You cannot fairly hold me to 
my bargain. 

M. Upon me worrid. Miss Ethel, the Captain was inno- 
cent of my presence altogether, and not act-essory to the 
thrick, which was no thrick at all, but just as it ha])pened 
intirely. T hold yez both to the bargain. 

iv Then T see no escape I'roni it. 



26 A COMEADE'S LUCK, 

G. {taking Mlcheys hand). You are more (han vvr-1 
come, Sergeant, for coming so opportunely to my aid. 

M. Yis, I thought yez would be nading support in the 
tribulations and trials of courtship, so I hurried away whin 
the execution was over, and instead of goin' round by Cin- 
cinnati, to visit relashuns I postt'd on straight afther yez. 
stoppin' in Vallonia jist long enough to attend to a bit of 
business, and it's a foine wedding prisint I've brought out 
along wid meself. ( Takes from his bosom a purer f doiie 
■up in a green silk handkerchief). 

E. You will bring Mrs. Magee with you to the wedding 
I hope, for you aie no longer nuirried against your will if I 
hear aright. 

M. Faith, ye may well say that now. It's reconciled, 
now, I am intirely to the Widdy Malony and her siven 
childer likewise. Arrah ! but 1 missed her coaxin' ways 
and gintale bohrding house down at Andersonville ( begins 
to undo parcel). This was the Widd}- Malony's prisint to 
meself, displays haiidkerihief) illigant enough ("or the nose 
of St. Pathrick (removes handkerchief and presents parch- 
ment with seals), and here is my wedding prisent to yez 
both, me childer. (Enter Mrs. Dalgreen, followed bt/ 
negro). 

(}. What ! the stolen will ! 

W. (takiug the parchnieut). Ethel's fortune snvcd! 

M. The same, I'm thinkin'. 

(jr. How and where did you get it? (.'I'aven told me he 
had burned it. 

M. He tould me the same lie and stuck to it altogether 
until he saw the coffin foreninst his nose. Thin, sez I, its 
but foive minutes life ye have now by the ordherly's watch. 
Spake out an' aze yer soul. Phereisthe will. Spake, man. 
Hell is worse than piirgathory. He was moighty pale like. 
He looked up at the sun and then down at his coffin, and 
into the grave beside him. i'eve no time to waste man, 
spake out! It will be the betther fin- yez on the long jcair- 
ney. Thin; he fell on his knees and called to the Lord ior 
mei'cy. Confess, says I. Phere is the stolen Avill ! and at 
the last moment he gasped out his confession and toidd nie 
phere I'd foind the will, concealed behind the wainscot of 
bis office in Yallonia. 



OR THI 3T0Lr!f WHL 77 

W. Most faithful friend! how can we ever reward _you. 

M. Azy enough, Widdy, iizy enough! all the reward 
I'd iver be askin' is to witness a weddin', av its convanient 
to the young folks. 

W. {joining hands of Ethtl and Eduln). May love 
and truth abide in your wedded life. You have a mother's 
blessing, my children ! 

M. And ye have my blessin' altogether, wid also 1 trust 
the kind approval of these friends of '■ A Comrade's Luck." 

(Disposition of ihorafteia at fall of cnrtaiii.) 

Negro. 

Edw I N . Ethel. 

Widow. Mickey. 



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